Figwit (also known as Aegnor and Elf Escort) is the fan-derived name for an Elf extra in Peter Jackson's film version of The Lord of the Rings. He soared into a popularity far exceeding his place in the movies when he was perceived as an extremely beautiful character by female fans - and some slash writers. He is played by Bret McKenzie, the son of actor Peter McKenzie.

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Role

Figwit is seen in the first movie during the Council of Elrond. He sits next to Aragorn until they all stand up to argue. After Frodo shouts "I will take it!" and everyone turns and looks at him, Figwit is standing on the far right. He is standing in the backround for only a fraction of a second; a main part of the joke is that the actor is just a minor extra.

Figwit returns in the third movie in the scene where Arwen is leaving for the Grey Havens and has the vision about her future son Eldarion. Figwit is the one that tells her to get back with the others. His exact words: "Lady Arwen, we cannot delay!" and then "My lady!".

Fandom

Figwit's rise to fame began shortly after the first movie, and some fans believe he was given dialog in the third movie because Peter Jackson was aware of the attention given to this extra. Jackson mentions the phenomenon in the commentary track on the extended edition of the Return of the King: "the decision to give him a speaking role was developed after the scene was scripted. Originally just a random cast extra was to give the lines, but it was decided that it would be fun if the Figwit actor was brought in to deliver them."

Figwit's "brother"

Figwit has a lesser known "brother", played by extra Blair Morton. "Meorof", Mystery Elf On (the) Right Of Figwit, appears, well, to Figwit's right in the Council of Elrond[1].

Alternate names

The name Figwit appears twice in official material of the movie franchise: once on an authograph card, and once on a card for Arwen; both these cards are by Topps. In the credits of The Return of the King, he is called Elf Escort, and Figwit's Decipher Card gives his name as Aegnor, a name derived from The Silmarillion. The name Figwit is an acronym, stands for "Frodo is great - who is THAT?!?". In fanfiction, Figwit is sometimes called Melpomaen, a shoddy translation of the elements "fig" (melpo in Qenya) and "wit" (maen in Noldorin)[1].

Other media

In 2004 a 50 minute documentary on the Figwit phenomenon, "Frodo is great... Who is that?!!", was made by three Wellington filmmakers Stan Alley, Nick Booth and Hannah Clarke - all of whom worked on Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings. The documentary follows Bret McKenzie to Edinburgh where he meets the fans of his trademark pout and "elvish good looks" and features extensive interviews with fans behind various Figwit fan sites as well as Peter Jackson, Barry Osbourne, Mark Ordesky, Ian McKellen and other cast members.